Netanyahu Under Fire From Coalition Partner Over Future Government Portfolios
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb fiercely criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for stating the Defense, National Security, and Justice ministries would stay with Likud in a future government. Gottlieb accused Netanyahu of fearing strong leaders like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, whom she praised for significant achievements. Otzma Yehudit echoed Gottlieb's sentiments, interpreting Netanyahu's comments as an attempt to sideline them and potentially bring in opposition figures. The party reiterated its demands for key ministerial posts in any future coalition.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Tali Gottlieb attacked PM Netanyahu for reserving key ministries for Likud in a future government.
- Gottlieb accused Netanyahu of preferring submissive individuals over strong leaders like Itamar Ben-Gvir.
- She praised Ben-Gvir's reforms in prisons, security, and illegal construction.
- Gottlieb urged right-wing voters to support Otzma Yehudit to secure key portfolios.
- Otzma Yehudit claims Netanyahu's statements signal an intent to remove them from the coalition.
Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb of the Otzma Yehudit party launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, criticizing his statements about retaining key ministerial positions for the Likud party in a future government. Netanyahu had stated that the Defense Ministry, National Security Ministry, and Justice Ministry would remain with Likud should he form the next government. This comes amid National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's stated intention to demand the Defense portfolio.
Gottlieb accused Netanyahu of preferring "submissive people who bow their heads." She defended him in the past, stating a strong leader wants strong people around him, but asserted that "they were right" about his preferences. She praised Ben-Gvir for his actions, including reforms in prisons, demolition of illegal structures in the Negev, and improvements in citizens' personal security through arms reform, as well as significant salary increases for police and prison officers. Gottlieb questioned Netanyahu's fear of Ben-Gvir, suggesting he was trying to distance a perceived leader.
Gottlieb urged right-wing voters to support a strong Otzma Yehudit, claiming it is the only way to keep Netanyahu in the right-wing bloc and secure the Defense, National Security, and Justice portfolios for her party. She warned that otherwise, they would end up with figures like Haim Katz and Gadi Eisenkot, whom she dismissed as "nothing."
Otzma Yehudit also reacted strongly, interpreting Netanyahu's remarks as a decision to remove Ben-Gvir and his party from the coalition, replace them with figures like Eisenkot, and transfer the key ministries to the left. The party recalled Ben-Gvir's September press conference where he outlined his party's demands for the next government, including himself as Defense Minister, Gottlieb as Justice Minister, and Wasserlauf as National Security Minister.
Mentioned
